Australia satisfied with India's nuclear safeguards: Trade Minister

Melbourne: Australia on Monday said it is satisfied with the nuclear safeguards India has in place, signalling sealing a much-awaited deal on uranium export during Prime Minister Tony Abbott's visit to Delhi this week.

"We have satisfied ourselves that the steps are in place," said Trade Minister Andrew Robb, who will accompany Abbott on his India visit.

Prime Minister Abbott will arrive in Delhi on September 4 to further strengthen the strategic partnership and promote trade and investment between the two countries.

Media reports recently said the two sides have reached the deal on the civil nuclear agreement, which will be formally signed by Prime Minister Abbott during his visit.

The negotiations between the two sides have been on since 2012 after Labor party reversed its decision to ban the uranium sale to India because New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"The negotiations and work that's gone on between authorities in India and Australia have gone on for some years to develop a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement which meets the international requirements and we are satisfied, our officials are satisfied that all the requirements have been met," he said in a radio interview to ABC channel.

"And we are in a position, if that's what comes about with the Prime Minister's visit, to sign such a cooperation agreement," he said.

Australia holds about a third of the world's recoverable uranium resources, and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes a year.

Energy-starved India is looking to nuclear power to supplement its existing options to fuel economic growth.

Last week, Abbott had said he will visit New Delhi and Mumbai to strengthen the strategic partnership with India.

Australia and India have strong and growing economic and trade ties. India is Australia's fifth largest export market, with total exports of 11.4 billion dollars, and there is potential for further cooperation in resources, science, technology and education.

"My visit will be an opportunity to engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi early in the term of his government to increase bilateral cooperation to advance our mutual interests," Abbott had said.

Two years back, then Prime Minister Julia Gillard on her visit to India had announced that the two countries would begin negotiations for a nuclear safeguards agreement.